Self-winding clock



Mar. 27, 1923. 1,449,982.

. 1. T. A. GAUCHER. l

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Mar. 27, 1923. 1,449,982.

I. T. A. GAUCHER.

SELF WINDING CLOCK.

ORIGINAL FILED )UNE 26.1920- 6 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

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Mar. 27, 1923. 1,449,982.

. J.T.A.GAUCHER.

SELF WINDING CLOCK.

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J. T. A. GAUCHER. SELF wlNnlNG CLOCK.

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Mar. 27, 1923. 1,449,982. I. T. A. GAUCHER.

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Patented Mar. 27, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,449,982 PATENT OFFICE@ JOSEPH T. A. GAUCHER, DEoEAsED, LA ALBERTINI: GAUCHER, 'NE CERR CANADA.

TE 0F MONTREAL, QUBEC, CANADA, BY EXECUTRIX, OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC,'

SELF-WINDING CLOCK.

Original application led .Tune 2G, 1920, Serial No. 392,026.

Divided and this application led May 14,

1921. Serial No. 469,681.

To all w 710m t may con ce1 ln Be it known that deceased, formerly a subject oit the King of Great Britain, and resident of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, did invent certain new and useful Improvements in SeltlVinding Clocks; and I, ALnLRTrNE; GAUCHER, ne CERR, executrix, do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to which it ap-v pertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in clocks and has reference toa division or" my former application for patent on electric clocks, filed June 26th, 1920, Serial No. 392,026.

The primary object of the invention is the provision ot a clock which will be self-winding at predetermined times and during such winding will .provide for the continuous operation or" the clock in the usual manner.

Another object ot' the invention is the provision of a weight actuatedjclock and means for raising the weight. tor continuously operating the clock after the said weight hasreached its lowermost position without linterfering with the continuation of the clock mechanism in the usual manner.

Still'another object of the inventionis the provision of a; clock including yan operating mechanism and a weight for actuating the latter together with a suitable motor for rewinding the clock priorto the weight reaching its lower-most position.

A further object ofthe invention is the provision of a self-winding clock such as above referred to, whichl will lbe comparativelysimple and inexpensive to manufacture, reliable and efficient in use, and readily operated.

lith the above andother objectsrin view,V

the present invention resides in the novel features of construction, formations, combinations and arrangements ofparts` to be hereinafter `more fullyv described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings lforming a part of the present application, and in which: f

Figure k1 is a diagrammatical View of the clock showing the position of the relative parts inthe casing;

Figure 2 is a mechanismy employed; p

JOSEPH T. A. GAUCHER,Y

lfor operating an electric switch 18.

side elevation of the clock Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the same;

Figure 4 isa detail sectional view illustrating the planetary gearing employed between the clock mechanism and rewinding means;

Figure ais an enlarged detail section taken through the same;

Figure 6 is a detail elevation of one ot the ratchet wheels taken at right rangles to Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a 'front elevation of the escapement mechanism;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of one `of the escapement wheels;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the escapement mechanism;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view taken within a suitable casing 11 mounted upon a support 12 and this clock mechanism has operatively connected thereto a shaft .1I-E which latter is employed for driving a time. striking` mechanism such as chimes or 'the like/:lor it may be 'employed for driving the dials of calenders or the mechanism is indicated by the numeral 14:

but forms no part oi the present invention.v

The clock mechanism is driven by a weight 15 which-is suspended by means of a strap or baud 16, and also connected to this weight 15 is a similar band or strap 1T employed A pendulum 18 also controls the movement or". the clock mechanism 11. The clock mechanism has operatively connected thereto a pulley 19 over which passes a belt 20 and the latter passes over a an electric motor 91. This motor has leading thereto the wires 22 and has also in circuit therewith the switch 18.

like f and which pulley carried byl A suitable source of electrical energy is supplied through the wires 28 to a transformer 24 supported within the casing and t-he current passes from this transformer through a switch to the wires 22. As the weight 15 of the clock mechanism descends, it will cause the clock mechanism to be set in operation in the usual manner, but when'this weight has descended within the casing `10 approximately to a point indicated by the numeral 26, the strap 17 will closeV the switch 18 whereby current will be supplied to the motor 21. lVhen this motor 21 is set iii motion, the weight 15 will be drawnnpwardly until it has been conipletelyrewound, at which timethe switch 18 is open thereby breaking the circuit in which the motor 21 is inclu-ded. However',

duringthe rewinding period of the clock mechanism, the master clock as well as the :secondary clocks continue on with their operations, so that no time is lost, and in fact the rewinding movement of the lmaster clock in no way affects the time controlling mechanismof any of the clocks. It will also be Ynoted that if a variable output of current is supplied to the niotor 21 and which in turn would cause an irregular rewinding of the' clock mechanism, the time controlling mechanism of the clock would be in no way affected. Vhen the weight 15 descendsto approximatelythe point indicated by the numeral 26, the switch 18 will be closed,

but should, for some unforeseen reason,

' suicient current not be supplied tothe mo- 'tor 21 when switch 18 is closed, the weight 15 could continue'with its downward'travel y' beyond the line 26 so as to keep the clock in motion for a reasonable length of time, or until the proper amount o-f current could be supplied tothe motor 21, or other means employed for raising the weight 15 so that the continual movement of the clock mechanism would not be interfered with. The wires indicated by the numeral 2T extend from the dial 1 to one or more secondary clocksnot shown).

The switch 18 is shown in detail in Figures 12 to 14 inclusive. Supported within the casing l10 is a plate 28 having secured to one lface thereof a casing 29 in which is arranged the switch 18. This switch is pro# vided with a vertical movable stem 8G, and the latter is connected to a link 31 by means of a slot and pin connection, 82, as shown, and this link 81 is pivotally supported upon the plate 28 as at 38. A link 34 is also connected to the link 81 and the lower end of this link 84 is connected to a link Projecting from the plate 28 is a bracket 86 and the lower end of the stem 8O travels through an opening within this bracket. This stem is also pro-vided with a projection 87 which prevents the stem from rotating. Secured to the plate 28 is a plate 88 and is caused by the weight 15 descendin this plate 88 is supported in spaced relation with the plate 28 by means of the bars 89.

l A driven shaft 40 is journalled within these plates 28 and 38 and vhas keyed to 'one end and this co-il spring 42 has one end connected to the casingV 43 and its opposite Vend connected to-the shaft 40, so that upon the unwindiiig movement of the shaft 40 which g, the tension of the spring 43 will be increased for storing up power, so that when the clock mechanism is rewound or the weight 15 drawnV upwardly, this spring will rotate the shaft 40 so that the band 17 will' be wound upon the pulley 41. Also journalled within the platesy 28 and 88 is a shaft 44 which has keyed to one end thereof the crank and has also connected thereto a. gear 45 which meshes with a pinion 46 carried by the shaft 40. Upon thel downward travel of the weight 15, the shaft 40 as well as' the pulley 41 vwill travel in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Figure 14, whereby the shaftr 44 will be rotated in the direction of the arrow, as is also shown in Figure 14,7so

that the crank 85 will exerta downward pull upon the -stein 80. When the weight 15 has reached the' point 26, the crank 35 will as-` ,sume the position as is illustrated in Figure 12, whereby the stern will be pulled to its v lowermost position and the switch 18 closed. When this switch18 is closed, the rmotor21 is set in motion for rewindlng or drawing upwardly the weight 15. .As the pull upon the shaft 4() is released. the spring 42 during this rewinding periodwill cause the shaft 40 to revolve in an opposite direction whereby the released strap 17 will be wound upon the pulley 41 and the crank 35 caused to revolve in the direction'of the arrow, as shown in Figure 12. This crank 35, through vthe mechanism formerly described, will eXert an upward push upon the stem 80, and when the-weight 15 has assumed its uppermost position, this stein 80 will open the switch 18 'whereby the current to the motor 21 will be cut off andthe weight' 15 will be allowed to descend.

rlhe clock mechanism is supported upon a suitable framework which latter is mountedA upon the platform 12 supported within the casing 1() and this framework consists of a front'plate 46 anda rear plate 47 which are connected 'and braced in spaced relation by means of the cross bars 48. 'Connected to the projecting end of the uppermost cross bar 49 is a depending arm 50 which carries'at its lowerend the pendulum 18.v

Journalled within the bearings 51 is a transversely extending shaft 52A havingl keyed thereto the pulley 19 and this shaft 52 is provided with a worin gear 53 which is adapted to mesh with a gear 54. Journalled within the plates 46 and 47 is a shaft 55 and the upon this shaft A ratchet wheel 56 is keyed to this shaft and the gear 54 is provided with a spring connected pawl 57 which engages the ratchet wheel 56 so as to permit the shaft 55 to move in one direction, but should the gear 54 move inv an opposite direction the shaft 55 will ,be caused to travel therewith. Also loosely mounted upon -this shaft 55 is a pulley 58 upon which is adapted to'be wound the strap 16. This pulley 58 has journalledtherein a shaft 59 and the latter has keyed thereto the pinions 60 and 61. adapted to mesh with similar gears 62 and 63 respectively. The gear 62 is keyed to the shaft 55, whereas the gear 63 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 55 and has formed therewith a large gear 64. F rom this planetary arrangement of gears, it is obvious that when the shaft 52 is revolved by the motor 21, the shaft 55 may be rotated in one direction for winding the band 16 upon the pulley 58, and when this band 16 has been fully wound upon the pulley, the weight 15 will cause the pulley torevolve in an opposite direction. whereby power will be transmitted to the larger gear 64. Tt will also be further noted that during the rewinding period, power will still be transmitted to this gear 64 whereby the clock mechanism will be continuously kept in motion. l

Also journalled within the supports 46 and 47 is a shaft 65 which has keyed thereto a pinion 66 yand the latter meshes with the gear 64. This pinion 66 has formed therewith a'gear 67 and the latter meshes with a gear 68 which is loosely mounted upon a shaft 69. This gear 68 has connected thereto a casing in which is arranged a coil spring which operatively connects the gear 68 with the shaft 69 and which spring stores up sufficient power for rotating the shaft 69. This shaft 69 has keyed thereto a gear 70 which meshes with a pinion 71 carried by the shaft 72, which lat-ter is also journalled within suitable bearings arranged within the supports 46 and 47. Keyed to this shaft 72 is an escapement wheel 73 which is engaged by an escapeinent 74, and the latter is secured to an oscillating shaft 75. This oscillating shaft 75 is journalled within suitable bearings arranged within the supports 46 and 47 and has connected to its outer end a link or arm 76. The lower end of this arm 76 is adjustably connected, as at 77, to the pendulum lever 50, so that when the pendulum is set in motion, the escapement 74 will be operated for permitting the power stored up in the shaft 69 to revolve the shaft 72.

A suitable shaft 78 is also journalled gear 54 is loosely mounted These pinions 60 and 6-1 are kwhich meshes with a gear 84 carried by a shaft 85 which is journalled within suit-able bearings carried by the support 46. gear 86 meshes with a gear 87 carried by the shaft 85, and is adapted to rotate a bevel gear y88 which meshes with a bevel gear 89 carried by the shaft 13 whereby the latter` may be rotated. A shaft 90 is also employed and carries a gear 91 which meshes vwith the gear 87 so that this shaft 90 may also be rotated. Carried iby the outer end of this shaft 90 is a large gear 92 which is adapted to mesh with a small gear 93 carried by the sleeve 94 to which the larger or minute hand is connected. A smaller gear 95 meshes with the gear 96 and the latter carries the sleeve 97 to which is connected the smaller or hour hand of the master'clock. From this mechanism it is evident that the minute and hour hands of the clock may be `propelled for indicating the time upon the clock dia-l.

`Journalled within the lower ends of the supports 46 and 47 is a shaft 98 to which is connected the indicator 3. This shaft has loosely mounted thereupon a gear 99 which is in mesh with the gear 100 which meshes with the gear 67. This gear 99 carries a casing 101 in which is arranged a coil spring which connects the gear to the shaft 98 and stores up the power transmitted to the gear 99 so that this power may be employed for rotating the shaft 98 at the proper intervals. Keyed to this sha-ft 98 is a disk 102 and this disk has projecting from one face thereof a plurality of pins 1.03 which are semicircular in cross section, as shown. depending lever 104 is provided and'is connected through the horizontal bar 105 to a lever ,106, and the lat-ter is secured to the vshaft 75, so that upon the oscillatory movement of this shaft 75, a swinging movement will be given the lever 104. The lower end of this lever 104 is provided with a ring 106 in which are projecting the curved arms or pins 107 and these arms 107 are adapted to travel between the pins 103', so that upon each swinging movement of the lever 104, the disk 102 will be permitted to travel the distance between these pins 103 so as to move the dial 1 for bringing the indicator 3 in contact with each circumferential contact arranged upon the face of the dial 1.

'clock gearing is partly stored The opposite face of this disk 102 is provided with af plurality of pins 108 which pins are engaged by one end of alever 109. pivotally supported, as at 110, to the frame 46 and has connected to its opposite end a link 111. Journalled within a bearing 112 carried by the support 16 is a shaft 113 which carries a crank arm 1141 and thelatter being connected to the link 111. Also carried by this support 46 is a bracket 115 and pivotally supported upon this bracket 115 is a swinging escapement block or table 116. This block 116 is provided Vwith a vertically extending arm 117 and adapted to contact with this arm 117 is a crank arm 118 carried by the shaft 113. A coilspring 119 is employed for normally holding this escapement table in the position as illustrated in Figure 10, but when the shaft 113 is oscillated so that the a1m118 may exert. a force upon the eXtension 117, this escapement table will be rocked ormoved to the position as illustrated in Figure 11. This escapement table is provided with an upper platform 120 formed of a plurality of leaf springs and a lower platform 121 which is arranged at one side of lthe platform 120. VLoosely mounted upon the shaft 78 is aprevolving escapement arm having rthe diametrically opposite projections 122 and 123. A coil spring 1241 encircles this shaft 78 and has one end connected to this shaft, whereas the opposite end thereof is connected Vto the escapement arm as at 125. The power transmitted from the weight 15 through the up within this coil spring 1211,by the krotation of the shaft 78, and when either projection of this escapement arm is released, it will permit this shaft 78 to revolve. For releasing this escapement arm, the pins 108 are provided. These pins 108, during the rotation of the disk 102 in the direction o-f the arrow, as shown in Figure 8, cause the lever 109 to oscillate. 'When thislever 109 oscillates so as to pull downwardly upon the link 111, the escapement table 116 will be moved so that one of the projections 122 or 123 will fall upon the upper platform 120. When this lever 109 haspassed over the approaching pin 108, the coil spring 119 will exert a pull upon the table 116, causing the same to assume the position as shown in Figure 10, and the lever 109 will again rest between the pins 108, as is better illustrated in Figure 7. When this table 116 has been moved to the position as illustrated in Figure 10, the projection 123 of the escapement lever will fall upon the lower platform 121, again stopping the rotation ofthe escapement arm. As the escapement table is again moved to the position as shown in Figure 11, the projection 123 of the escapement lever will travel from the platform 121 and fall below the platform 120 where it will be released and the coil spring will exert a pull thereupon, so that the escapement arm may make a complete half revolution or until the opposite end 122 of the escapement arm strikes the platform 120.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, itwill be manifest that a self-winding clock is provided, which will fulfill all of the necessary requiren'ients of such a device, and it should be understood in ythis connection, that various minor changes in the specific details of construction can be resorted to within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. v

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is The combination with a clock mechanism having a descending weight for supplying power thereto, means for raising said weight, a switch associated with said raising means, a stem connected to said switch, a crank shaft for moving said stem whereby said switch may beopened and closed, a pulley carried by said crank shaft, a strap adapted to be wound upon said pulley and connected to said weight, said weight adapted to rotate said pulley in one direction, whereby said switch may be closed, and a coil spring for rotating said pulley in an opposite direction whereby said switch may be opened when said weight has been raised, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ALBERTINE C. GAUCHER ALBERTINE GEBR-E, Eeeutr 0 f J oseph T. A. Gaucher, deceased- 

